Father and son running for Lenox office

LENOX >> Father-and-son team Joseph (John) Pinard and son John have been canvassing the neighborhoods in Lenox seeking signatures from registered Republicans on their nomination petitions for the upcoming Sept. 10 primaries.

The elder Pinard, 59, of Whitelaw, is running for the town supervisor position and his son, 37, of Canastota, is running for a seat on the town council.

The father lived in Canastota and attended Canastota High School before entering the United States Air Force. He retired from the Air Force in 1992. During his time in the Air Force, he gained experience in electronics, hydraulics, project management and budget control.

After retirement, John and his family settled in Whitelaw. He even worked for Diemolding, where he helped implement a new manufacturing facility at the plant in Wampsville.

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He believes that taxpayer money should not be considered an unending source of funds. If elected, he says he would work with local governments, school districts and the county to find ways to share resources.

During his 20-plus years in the military, the elder Pinard traveled the United States and the world, experiencing firsthand the good and the not-so-good points of many communities.

Locally, what most concerns him is property tax issues and infrastructure improvements, just like his son.

The younger Pinard is also a Canastota alumnus who operated Little Jak's Pizza Shak for more than 10 years. Over the years, he has been a strong supporter of Canastota Pop Warner, the Booster Club, Little League, and other community organizations. He has served as a board member and coach for Canastota Little League for eight years.

Last week, the Pinards were out and about in the Will New Boulevard area obtaining signatures.

The decision to run came spontaneously to both men.

One day the younger Pinard was talking to his wife about running while at the same time, his father was speaking to his mother about running for office. The coincidence was discovered later in the day when they all got together.

The elder Pinard is tired of high taxes. He feels you can't always fight things from outside, but you need to get in the thick of things.

"The only thing that people can really take away from you is your name," he said. And there aren't any foolish questions.